1. “Seeing our mother, not smiling, but in her worst, most helpless moment was the worst
feeling in the world.”
–Aniya Williams, 17, on discovering domestic abuse victim Deanna Cook’s body
HELP LIFT DEANNA’S VOICE
They found her in a bathtub, but she hadn’t been bathing.
Deanna Cook, a 32-year-old mother and aspiring writer, was murdered by her ex-husband
– a man who repeatedly threatened to kill her, which Deanna documented in calls to
police. The 2012 Texas murder and trial attracted national attention as parts of the
horrifying, eleven-minute telephone call to emergency dispatchers were repeatedly
played by news stations across the country.
Apart from Deanna’s fear as she begs for her life, the heartless voice of domestic
violence can be heard in her attacker’s announcement: “I’m going to kill you. I’m going
to kill you. I’m going to kill you.”
A Texas jury sentenced Deanna’s ex-husband to 85 years in prison for her death and the
case led to improvements in Dallas emergency response procedures. But a greater
mission remains for Deanna’s family, friends, and advocates for domestic violence
victims everywhere. Part of that mission promoted by Deanna’s Voice Foundation, a non-
profit campaign to end domestic abuse, is ensuring that voices like Deanna’s are never
silenced.
Survivors of domestic violence and their families need a FIRST VOICE:
Deanna was killed, but she wasn’t the only victim. Her two daughters were left in need of
personal care and daily support. Along with many of the 12 million women and men who
are domestically abused annually, millions of families and households are impacted.
Deanna’s Voice Foundation’s First-Voice Program generates financial support and
resources to provide transitional shelter service, clothing, food and other forms of direct
support. Because domestic violence involves fleeing homes out of fear, losing belongings
and other unpredictable circumstances, including the tragic death of loved ones, a safety
net of care for both survivors and relatives of victims is crucial. The First-Voice Program
provides initial financial resources to supplement available support to children by
families and guardians, as well as aiding those who’ve fled threatening situations.
Deanna’s Voice goals promote:
• Public awareness through videos, literature, and improved emergency response
• Training and professional development to staff and volunteers
• Scholarships for domestic violence survivors and prevention advocates
Deanna’s Voice Foundation depends not only on individuals, but corporate community
involvement. To contribute or sponsor a program please e-mail info@deannasvoice.org
or visit www.deannasvoice.org for more information.
Remember, without your support, the direct and secondary victims of domestic violence
will be left without a voice and without means!